Access information

Lotherton is approximately 12 miles from Leeds. It is 4 miles from the nearest train station at Garforth. Lotherton is a 20-25 minute walk from the nearest bus stop in Aberford, along a public highway with limited footpaths. A 180 metre long drive leads up to the entry kiosk.

There is a gravel road leading up to Lotherton Hall museum. The museum has ramped access. The entrance is manual, opening inwards with a clear opening space. There is a bell on the information panel if you require help to open the doors.

The Courtyard Shop and Stables Café entrances are both level. The doors are both manual, opening inwards with clear opening spaces.

Wildlife World has level access across a wooden boardwalk and automatic doors at the shop. There are doors throughout the zoo to separate the enclosures.

What3Words is a location app which provides exact location points based on 3 metre squares. Every 3 metre square of the world has been given a unique combination of three words which can be shared with friends and family, emergency services and more to pinpoint locations easily.

Estate entrance: ///forge.minority.dispensed
House: ///tripods.pronouns.wades
Courtyard Shop: ///activates.glass.frost
Stables Café: ///blush.mush.lakeside
Wildlife World: ///glitz.nags.soulful

There are several accessible parking spaces in the car park nearest to the hall and Wildlife World. This car park is used as priority parking during the busier summer months. Access from the car park to the hall and Wildlife World entrances is via fairly gradual uphill paths.

There is a Changing Places and accessible toilet in the Stables Courtyard, and there is an accessible toilet in the house and café.

The Visual Story documents are guides to what to expect when you visit Lotherton Estate, including the House and Wildlife World. They include photographs and information so that you can prepare for your visit.

Lotherton Visual Story (PDF, 4.5MB)    Wildlife World Visual Story (PDF, 8MB)

Entry for carers is free. If buying tickets online you only need to add tickets for the non-carer(s), you do not need to add a ticket for free carers entry.

Baby changing facilities are available in the café, courtyard toilets and inside the house. We are a breast-feeding friendly site and you are welcome to breast feed wherever you feel comfortable.

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome in all areas. Dogs need to be kept on leads in the gardens and courtyard but are free to roam the rest of the grounds if well behaved and in sight. Water and bowls are available in the courtyard. You can find out more information about bringing your dog to Lotherton here.

Lotherton Hall museum

Due to the historic nature of the hall and its displays, larger motorised wheelchairs and scooters cannot navigate the visitor route, so these aids are not permitted. Light wheelchairs are available to borrow for use in the house. Please note that we are only able to accommodate one wheelchair at a time upstairs due to our evacuation procedures. We have a covered buggy park next to the entrance of the house.

A proportion of the museum is accessible.

There is a lift to the first floor which provides access to the Fashion Galleries and three other rooms. A further two rooms and two bathrooms are only accessible via a chair lift.

The School Room, used by pre-booked groups, is inaccessible to wheelchair users but an alternative can be offered. Please discuss any access needs with the Learning and Access Officer when booking your visit. Notice is required in advance of your visit to ensure we can offer an alternative on the day.

There is seating around the museum including folding seats, which are available for visitors to use.

Wildlife World

Wildlife World entrance is accessible via a wooden boardwalk and through the gift shop.

Immediately outside of the gift shop there is an upwards slope on a gravel path.

There are a number of push/pull gates and ropes to prevent the animals from leaving their dedicated enclosure areas.

There are gravel paths around Wildlife World.

The Nocturnal House is on a slope and is accessible through two sets of plastic screen curtains. It is purposely kept dark during visiting hours for the nocturnal species in this enclosure.

Grounds and Gardens

The majority of the grounds and gardens are accessible. Due to its historic design, the Edwardian Garden is not fully accessible to wheelchair users, but can be viewed from vantage points.

Manual and push wheelchairs may struggle on some of the gravel areas.

The courtyard and Stables Café are fully accessible.

Borrow a wheelchair or mobility scooter

One manual wheelchair is available from reception to use within the museum. Unfortunately we cannot provide assistance to get around the house for wheelchair users. Another manual wheelchair is available from the Stables Café which can be used in the grounds.

Three outdoor mobility scooters are available from the welcome cabin to use on the estate which can be booked in advance by calling 0113 378 2959.

Please email us at lotherton@leeds.gov.uk in advance of your visit if you would like to discuss specific access needs.

There are no induction loops at Lotherton.

Please visit our dedicated Special Educational Needs and Access page for more information about how we try to make Lotherton inclusive and accessible for people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Lotherton estate is a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS). The VAQAS is a scheme which ensures high quality experiences at tourist attractions, including a commitment to respect the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 by making reasonable adjustments to improve service for disabled people.

If you would like more information before your visit, please contact us:

Phone

0113 378 2959 (10am - 4pm)

Email

lotherton@leeds.gov.uk

Post

Lotherton
Lotherton Lane
Aberford
Leeds
LS25 3EB